Development of Magneto-Responsive Pickering Emulsion based on Cellulose Nanocrystal as Novel Controlled Drug Delivery Carrier

The use of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) stabilized-emulsion to deliver drugs is an attractive idea but lack of triggered release has rendered them less effective. To overcome this, a novel palm olein-in-water Pickering emulsions stabilized by Fe3O4-CNC nanocomposites (MCNC) have been engineered as advanced controlled drug delivery carrier. The MCNC-based Pickering emulsions (MCNC-PE) showed pH@magnetic field-induced fast drug release with curcumin loading efficiency of 99.35%. The bioactive-loaded MCNC-PE was proved to be profoundly effective in inhibiting human colon cancer cell growth up to 82%. Such stimuli-responsive Pickering emulsions represent a new strategy for efficient, sustained and triggered drug delivery system.